Benefits Specialist
HouseWorks, Woburn, MA, United States
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Benefits, the Benefits Manager serves as a key resource for employees in navigating leave of absence and benefits programs. This role primarily focuses on the administration and oversight of leave programs, ensuring accurate communication and coordination with third‑party leave administrators and internal teams. The Benefits Manager provides guidance on leave requirements, ADA accommodations, and return‑to‑work procedures, monitors leave activity for compliance, and supports reporting, data analysis, and continuous process improvement initiatives. In addition to leave administration, this role supports the management and administration of the company’s benefit programs, maintains benefit records, handles administrative procedures, assists with program development and implementation, and supports open enrollment and special enrollment processes.
Leave of Absence Administration (Primary Focus)
Act as the primary internal liaison between employees, managers, HR, payroll, and third‑party leave administrators.
Provide guidance and direction on leave processes, expectations, timelines, and required documentation.
Review leave determinations, certifications, and vendor updates for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
Oversee coordination of payroll impacts, benefit deductions, and employment status changes related to leave events.
Monitor leave activity, timelines, and return‑to‑work dates to ensure compliance and support workforce planning.
Identify and elevate discrepancies, compliance risks, or process gaps in leave administration.
Lead ADA accommodation guidance and facilitate the interactive process with managers and employees.
Stay current on federal, state, and local leave laws and recommend strategies to maintain compliance.
Analyze leave data, trends, and utilization reports; recommend process and operational improvements.
Provide coaching and training to supervisors on leave workflows and compliance considerations.
Benefits Administration & Support
Assist in administration of employee benefit programs as needed.
Respond to employee benefit inquiries and provide guidance or direction to appropriate resources.
Support open enrollment, special enrollment events, audits, reporting, and reconciliation activities.
Ensure accuracy and integrity of employee benefit records.
Monitor market trends, plan design updates, and disclosure requirements, providing recommendations to enhance programs.
HR Operations & Compliance Support
Ensure consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and standardized processes.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information.
Escalate complex or high‑risk matters to management for review and decision‑making.
Contribute to policy updates, internal procedures, and employee communications.
Identify opportunities to optimize workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and implement process improvements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
Intermediate to Advanced skills in Microsoft Suite Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
5–7+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on leave of absence, employee benefits or related HR functions.
Advanced analytical and data management skills, including proficiency in Excel beyond basic functions (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, complex formulas, conditional formatting, data modeling, and charting) and the ability to manipulate large data sets, analyze trends, identify discrepancies, and produce actionable insights.
Experience preparing reports and dashboards for leadership to support compliance, workforce planning, and strategic decision‑making.
In‑depth knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA rules and regulations.
Ability to work with minimal supervision on assigned HR projects.
Experience working with third‑party administrators and vendors.
Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to plan, organize, and meet deadlines.
Physical Demands
Must remain in a stationary position for long periods of time at desk or computer.
Requires occasional standing, sitting, walking; using hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reaching with hands and arms; climbing stairs; hearing; talking.
Work Environment
Office environment.
Benefits
401k.
Medical, Vision & Dental Insurance.
PTO, Sick Time, Floating Holidays.
Pay Range The hiring range for this position is $85,000–$100,000 annually. Various factors will determine final compensation such as a candidate’s years of relevant work experience, skills, certifications, and location.
HouseWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
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Leave of Absence Administration (Primary Focus)
Act as the primary internal liaison between employees, managers, HR, payroll, and third‑party leave administrators.
Provide guidance and direction on leave processes, expectations, timelines, and required documentation.
Review leave determinations, certifications, and vendor updates for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
Oversee coordination of payroll impacts, benefit deductions, and employment status changes related to leave events.
Monitor leave activity, timelines, and return‑to‑work dates to ensure compliance and support workforce planning.
Identify and elevate discrepancies, compliance risks, or process gaps in leave administration.
Lead ADA accommodation guidance and facilitate the interactive process with managers and employees.
Stay current on federal, state, and local leave laws and recommend strategies to maintain compliance.
Analyze leave data, trends, and utilization reports; recommend process and operational improvements.
Provide coaching and training to supervisors on leave workflows and compliance considerations.
Benefits Administration & Support
Assist in administration of employee benefit programs as needed.
Respond to employee benefit inquiries and provide guidance or direction to appropriate resources.
Support open enrollment, special enrollment events, audits, reporting, and reconciliation activities.
Ensure accuracy and integrity of employee benefit records.
Monitor market trends, plan design updates, and disclosure requirements, providing recommendations to enhance programs.
HR Operations & Compliance Support
Ensure consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and standardized processes.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information.
Escalate complex or high‑risk matters to management for review and decision‑making.
Contribute to policy updates, internal procedures, and employee communications.
Identify opportunities to optimize workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and implement process improvements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
Intermediate to Advanced skills in Microsoft Suite Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
5–7+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on leave of absence, employee benefits or related HR functions.
Advanced analytical and data management skills, including proficiency in Excel beyond basic functions (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, complex formulas, conditional formatting, data modeling, and charting) and the ability to manipulate large data sets, analyze trends, identify discrepancies, and produce actionable insights.
Experience preparing reports and dashboards for leadership to support compliance, workforce planning, and strategic decision‑making.
In‑depth knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA rules and regulations.
Ability to work with minimal supervision on assigned HR projects.
Experience working with third‑party administrators and vendors.
Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to plan, organize, and meet deadlines.
Physical Demands
Must remain in a stationary position for long periods of time at desk or computer.
Requires occasional standing, sitting, walking; using hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reaching with hands and arms; climbing stairs; hearing; talking.
Work Environment
Office environment.
Benefits
401k.
Medical, Vision & Dental Insurance.
PTO, Sick Time, Floating Holidays.
Pay Range The hiring range for this position is $85,000–$100,000 annually. Various factors will determine final compensation such as a candidate’s years of relevant work experience, skills, certifications, and location.
HouseWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
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